180 ON TASTE IN ORNAMENTAL DESIGN. Paet II. 



as was the graceful mind of the Greeks, we even find their 

 taste sometimes*failed to be correct ;] and some of their monu- 

 ments are open to objections, from their falling short of that ex- 

 cellence and beauty for which they are generally so remarkable. 

 It is, however, with great deference that I speak of the works 

 of the Greeks, as I would be cautious in criticising the produc- 

 tions of any great master of later times; and those who have re- 

 marked (and with truth) that the fighting gladiator could not 

 stand to fight in that position are hasty in supposing this to 

 be an oversight of the sculptor, he being in the act of chang- 

 ing his position to strike a blow. There are, however, certain 

 cases where, as may reasonably be expected, some Greek work- 

 men have been less worthy " of Corinth " than their fellows, 

 and [have failed in the accessories of their vases, especially in 

 the handles and the foot. Many too of the later vases of 



(2-) 



& 



Fig. 1. Fig. 2. 



Apulia are wanting both in form and proportion, while they 

 have the fault of elongated shape so frequently found in those 

 of modern Europe.] (Woodcut 3, fig. 1.) Some are also dis- 

 figured by adhering too closely to an original type, as is evident 

 in the vase derived from the painted end of the old pithos 

 and amphora, supported by the circular stone into which 

 they fitted (fig. 3) ; which gives an abruptness to that part 

 no longer excusable when an ornamental purpose was sought 

 for in addition to a useful one (fig. 2). [And though the 

 drawing of the figures on the (so-called) Apulian vases is re- 

 markable for freedom of execution, they are inferior in com- 

 position to those of the age of Alexander, and still more to 



